Fox Preempts Feature Pitch For ‘True Detective’ Helmer Cary Fukunaga

EXCLUSIVE: Hot off the crime drama True Detective, the critically acclaimed eight-episode limited series he directed for HBO starring Matthew McConaughey-Woody Harrelson, Cary Fukunaga is in the middle of a pitch that Fox has bought pre-emptively for mid-six figures. It’s untitled, and it’s set in a contemporary wartime context. And it will be written by Nicole Riegel — who, like Fukunaga, came from the Sundance Labs program and whose script Dogfight was a Black List choice. The deal went down Friday night, with Riegel (who just signed with CAA off all this heat) writing this as a vehicle for Fukunaga to direct. He also will produce with Anonymous Content’s Michael Sugar. Fox’s Kira Goldberg and Emma Watts are point on the project.

It isn’t uncommon to hear that industry people like cutting-edge series on pay and basic cable, but HBO’s True Detective has reached a level of acclaim you don’t often hear. It is also unusual to see one director, Fukunaga, direct every episode. He will stay on as exec producer but will not direct episodes of Season 2 as creator/showrunner Nic Pizzolatto figures out the new storyline in the Anonymous Content-produced series. On the feature front, Fukunaga has several irons in the fire, and next directs his script Beasts Of No Nation, with Idris Elba starring in the Red Crown-funded drama about child soldiers in Ghana. He’s separately developing a feature adaptation of Stephen King’s It at Warner Bros and Noble Assassin at DreamWorks. Both Fukunaga and Riegel are managed by Anonymous Content. He’s with WME and attorney Mike Adler, while she’s at CAA and attorneys David Fox and Kim Stenton.

24 Comments

Great • on Feb 24, 2014 5:45 pm

Not at all a conflict

maCOnissance • on Feb 24, 2014 5:51 pm

Mac brought a lot of attention but is too strange and absorbed in himself for me to engage in True Detective. The role needed what Walton Goggins is doing on Justified….. letting the writing do the work.

Walton fan • on Feb 25, 2014 8:24 am

Walton Goggins is a much better actor than Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson ( huge fan ) combined . I wish the film studios and casting directors would pursue him for major film roles .

fake name • on Feb 25, 2014 9:38 pm

too bad he looks like a fucking hick and that’s gonna keep him typecast until the end of time.

sabadue • on Feb 26, 2014 3:29 pm

No…no he isn’t.

In like Flynn • on Feb 24, 2014 6:16 pm

True Detective is the ONLY series currently on the air that deserves an audience.

Audiencemember • on Feb 24, 2014 7:24 pm

Absolutely correct! This is innovative television! It’s a surprise. It’s unpredictable. It’s not for “the industry” it’s for an adult audience.

StephenW • on Feb 24, 2014 6:29 pm

Congrats to Nicole, much deserved success for a great writer!

Duke • on Feb 24, 2014 6:38 pm

In True Detective, Fukunaga has created something stronger than anything from a major this year. At last, original content to get excited about!

Frank • on Feb 24, 2014 8:07 pm

Walt Goggins is always fun to watch but “Mac” is mesmerizing and leaves you in a trance like state that pulls you into his character with a force unlike seen on television before. Hauntingly Perfect!

Anon • on Feb 24, 2014 9:23 pm

True Detective is the pinnacle. Literally the very best thing *ever* on television. Brilliant writing, directing, acting, cinematography, set design, music and too many others to list. HBO knows when to get out of the way and let the creators do their thing. Every other station should take a page out of their book.

god damn write • on Feb 24, 2014 11:35 pm

Yes, you hear that execs? Key to success is GET THE FUCK OUT OF THE WAY — let directors & writers do their thing.

Ryan • on Feb 25, 2014 8:52 am

Another example would be The Lego Movie.

George Hale • on Feb 25, 2014 10:36 am

True Detective is far from “the pinnacle” and “the best thing ever on television”. It is the most overrated series of all time after Breaking Bad. Good actors preferred over good characters, gratuitous and meaningless sex scenes, pretentious writing, undeveloped themes, a mystery plot that’s not used nor explored and technical achievements like the six minutes sequence shot that are made just for the sake of it and don’t add anything to the writing. It’s crap compared to the old HBO masterpieces.

Bo • on Feb 25, 2014 12:10 pm

I just wanted to reply my agreement with your assessment of this show. No use going on about it as you said it all very well. I must say, when I say as you have said, either on other web-sites like Collider or FirstShowing, the troops there get very, very ugly. People who like this really very shallow and trite show get very upset when someone disagrees with them. I find that quite revealing and a bit distrubing as well. Anyway, well said Mr. Hale. Good to see I’m not alone in seeing this show as you have described. It’s so obvious to me…weird..so thanks again!

Rusty • on Feb 25, 2014 3:20 pm

Don’t worry Gorgie. Your Entourage movie is right around the corner.

Mills • on Feb 26, 2014 3:38 pm

What masterpieces would you be talking about? I’d like to know, so I can shit all over them for the purpose of being “that guy” who doesn’t like something for the sake of being different. You probably dislike Game of Thrones and The Simpsons (but love the early stuff) as well.

Kerry • on Feb 24, 2014 10:30 pm

TD is amazing. Every element is perfect. Woody harrelson is brilliant and McConaughey makes a strong case for being the greatest American actor. I’m so used to being disappointed by overhyped drivel, I didn’t hold out much hope for this one. What a stunning achievement.

Kyle • on Feb 25, 2014 10:02 am

Perfect director and writer match! These two names coming together on a film is sure to be a phenomenal piece of art. Hollywood gets it right this time.

JeffMa • on Feb 28, 2014 2:19 am

I agree with you. True Detective is the best drama on television and I couldn’t put down Riegel’s script.
Best writing of the year and best direction of the year. Why Fox? Yikes.

Schraderbrau • on Feb 25, 2014 10:15 am

“Fukunaga… will stay on as exec producer but will not direct episodes of Season 2 as creator/showrunner Nic Pizzolatto figures out the new storyline”

First I’m hearing of the show going beyond this 8-ep run. Thought all signs pointed to this being a mini-series? They going to reboot in a new location with new leads? Would rather sully a pristine program’s reputation, methinks.

James • on Feb 25, 2014 1:14 pm

It was originally stated that this show would be in the format of American Horror Story in a such that each season would be new actors/characters and maybe some actors reprising new roles. And each season of course would be a new setting.

Robert Gilliland • on Feb 26, 2014 10:48 am

Congrats to Nicole, As Writing is a Long Journey to Success..
And Great Things come along With Determination and Hard work,
As we look forward to Great Minds working together.
Good luck on the new Venture.

Greg • on Mar 10, 2014 9:51 pm

True Detective is the best show ever!!!!!! I hope Nic Pizzolatto is involved with this too.